A police van was last night set on fire during more anti-immigration riots.

A young girl was reportedly among several people hurt in the disorder, which broke out near Citywest Hotel in Saggart, County Dublin. The violence erupted after the alleged sexual assault of a child, thought to be the girl in question.

Objects were hurled at police protecting the hotel, which currently houses migrants, and a police van was set alight in harrowing scenes. In footage seen online, young men are heard shouting: "Get them out" as the projectiles rain down on the officers.

Six people were arrested and the Irish police service, the gardai or An Garda Siochana, said one of its officers suffered a foot injury in the latest disorder concerninmg immigration. In a statement, the force said: "This was not peaceful protest. The violence exhibited was thuggery and an attempt to intimidate and injure."

The sexual assault happened near the hotel in the early hours of Monday, it is understood. Locals had, as a result, planned a protest on Tuesday evening but scenes turned ugly by around 9pm.

In the clip, people - including many wearing face coverings - are pictured waving Irish flags and chanting. Objects, including stones, are then thrown at tpolice officers in the shocking video, which has ended up on social media.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: "An Garda Siochana facilitate peaceful protest on a daily basis. This was obviously not a peaceful protest. The actions this evening can only be described as thuggery. This was a mob intent on violence against Gardai.

"I utterly condemn the attacks on Gardai who did their jobs professionally and with great courage to keep people safe. Public order units, dog unit, mounted unit, air support and the water cannon were deployed along with front-line colleagues, which brought the situation to a conclusion. We will now begin the process of identifying those who committed crimes and we will bring those involved in this violence to justice."

It is the second night in a row a protest has been held outside the hotel, which is being used as state accommodation for people seeking asylum.

Ireland's Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said that those involved in the violence will be brought to justice. He said: "The scenes of public disorder we have witnessed at Citywest tonight must be condemned.

"People threw missiles at gardai, threw fireworks at them and set a Garda vehicle on fire. This is unacceptable and will result in a forceful response from the gardai. Those involved will be brought to justice."

It mirrors ugly scenes witnessed in towns and cities across the UK during the summer. However, on most of these occasions, anti-racism groups staged counter-protests at several sites, including in Bristol and Liverpool.

Dublin riots near asylum seeker hotel sees police van set on fire and officers hurt - The Mirror